Lenin statue targeted in St Petersburg

02/04/09 07:54 CET

world news

| |

One of Russia’s most famous statues of Vladimir Lenin has been sabotaged, leaving a bomb-shaped hole in the Bolshevik leader’s bronze behind.

There has been no explanation for the attack, which happened in the early hours of the morning outside the Finland Station in St Petersburg. “The only thing I can say is that the monument will be restored and it will once again adorn the square in front of Finland train station as it did before,” said Vladimir Timofeev from the St Petersburg Museum. Lenin gave a speech at the station after his return from exile in April 1917. Later that year, he led the Revolution that toppled the government and led the Communists to power for more than 70 years. St Petersburg was renamed Leningrad after Lenin’s death in 1924.More about: Russia, Saint Petersburg, Vandalism

| |

Greek coalition closer to agreement on bailout terms

After spending most of the day in talks with prime minister Lucas Papademos, Greece’s coalition party leaders have made some headway. They have agreed to all but one of the points negotiated with the troika of IMF and EU negotiators for the much-needed one hundred and thirty billion euro bailout…